FSC Issues Statement on Backpage.com Seizure

FSC Issues Statement on Backpage.com Seizure

LOS ANGELES — The Free Speech Coalition issued a statement today on last week’s seizure of Backpage.com by federal authorities, saying that the platform's closure likely means that sex workers will be imperiled and that the federal government’s “War on Sex” work is just getting started.

The FSC said the following:

Last week’s seizure of Backpage is a disaster for the health and safety of consensual sex workers. The closure of a major advertising space, one where legitimate clients could be screened, means that thousands of sex workers across the country will be forced into increasingly dangerous workplaces, with fewer rights, fewer resources and fewer ways to protect themselves.

The closure of Backpage shows that the federal government’s “War on Sex” work is just getting started. We were told for months that the government needed the expanded powers of SESTA/FOSTA specifically so they could pursue Backpage. It was never true. The law hasn’t been signed, let alone gone into effect. The Department of Justice was able to seize Backpage just fine without it.

When SESTA/FOSTA does go into effect, the adult industry will face a DOJ with expanded powers, and an expanded mission. The DOJ never needed those powers for Backpage — but the powers will allow them to shut down other consensual sex work sites: cam sites, clips sites, porn sites, dating sites, and any site that provides resources for sex workers.

Friday, we saw SWOP Sacramento, a direct services and advocacy organization by and for sex workers, suspend its operations. The legal risk of providing basic safeguards like condoms or legal rights pamphlets was too much for the organization to ask its volunteers to bear.

These attacks, and these pullbacks, disproportionately affect those among us with the fewest resources or financial ballast, and the least amount of recourse — the poor, the LGBTQ, the gender non-conforming, and people of color.

We cannot overemphasize the dire situation that faces sex workers locally and nationally, nor the risk to free expression that we face as an industry. The adult industry needs to stand together, to stand with its workers, and those who work in the sex industry more broadly. They have come for the most vulnerable among us today, but they will not stop there.

Sex workers need your support now, and they need your voice. Do support sex worker organizations — like SWOP and ESPLERP and St. James Infirmary and Desiree Alliance, to name but a few — financially, but equally important, speak out publicly. On social media, at work, in conversation with family. Not everyone understands these issues as implicitly as we do. Not everyone knows that they know a sex worker. You do. Do not be silent.

The lives of our workers, friends and families depend on it.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Reveals Avery Lust as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the third quarter of 2025, with Avery Lust landing atop the leaderboard.

Girlsway Debuts New Installment of 'Girls Try Anal'

Little Puck and Shay Sights star in the latest installment of Girlsway series "Girls Try Anal," titled "Housewife’s Anal Adultery."

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Chelsea Poe Releases 'Reclaimed: Long Live Queer Porn'

Director and performer Chelsea Poe has released her latest feature, titled “Reclaimed: Long Live Queer Porn.”

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

Aubrey Kate Toplines 'TS Doctor's Office' From TransSensual

Aubrey Kate headlines “TS Doctor’s Office,” the latest title from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

Ricky's Room Signs Chanell Heart to 1-Year Deal

Ricky’s Room has signed Chanell Heart to a non-exclusive, multi-scene contract for one year.

Jonni Darkko Drops Evil Angel Blowbang With Jennifer White

Jennifer White stars in an Evil Angel blowbang release from director Jonni Darkko.

Show More